Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The next lines could be a cause of confusion. The correspondence refers to the number of children of whom Tusla are aware and who were reported missing during the period. There were seven in 2022 and 49 in 2023, and there have been 13 so far in 2024. Of those 69 young people, 37 have returned or have been accounted for, but there is a gap there from 37 to 69, which amounts to 32 missing children. This is a particularly vulnerable group. One is always concerned about trafficking because it does not stop when people get here. I am wondering about the protections in place. We hear about people being put up alone in bed and breakfast accommodation and that adds to their vulnerability. We must be concerned about a particular group. It would be useful to find out the circumstances or if there was anything unique about the circumstances. Were those children in the care of Tusla? I would like a little more information in that regard. We have a serious obligation when children are involved.